AP Music Theory - Fundamentals & Terms

Front

Staff

Back

The set of five horizontal lines and four spaces on which notes are written to indicate pitch. Each line and space corresponds to a specific pitch.

Front

Treble Clef (G Clef)

Back

A symbol used to notate higher pitches. The inner curve of the clef circles the line G above middle C (G4). Commonly used for violin, flute, and right-hand piano.

Front

Bass Clef (F Clef)

Back

A symbol used to notate lower pitches. The two dots surround the line F below middle C (F3). Commonly used for cello, bassoon, and left-hand piano.

Front

Grand Staff

Back

A combination of the treble and bass staves, joined together by a brace and a vertical line. It is primarily used for keyboard music to show a wide range of pitches.

Front

ledger lines

Back

Small horizontal lines used to extend the range of the staff when a note is too high or too low to fit on the standard five lines.